Shadow box



April 18, 1961 L.. A. PAPAS 2,980,309

SHADOW BOX Filed Aug. 5, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 18, 1961 L. A.PAPAs 2,980,309

SHADOW BOX Filed Aug. 5, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 H Lf Il" L. A. PAPASSHADOW BOX April 18, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 5, 1957 April 18,1961 L. A. PAPAs 2,980,309

SHADOW Box Filed Aug. 5, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 nited States Patent p2,980,309 ice y Patented Ann 18,1951

SHADOW Box Louis A. Papas, 1727 N. Rutherford Ave., chicago, nl.

Filed Aug. 5, 1957, Ser. No. 676,318 6 claim's. (c1. 229-34) "Ihisinvention relates to a shadow box and Ymore particularly toa shadow boxwhich can be assembled from Aafsheet material blank without the use ofany auxiliary fastening members.

Heretofore conventional shadow boxes made of wood and similar permanentmaterials have been used in the home to attractively display objects ofart and conversation pieces. More recently their use commercially todisplay articles and advertising pieces in stores and display areas hasbecome desirable. Heretofore the more universal adoption thereof hasbeen limited by various objectionable features. Thus, becauseadvertising displays are frequently changed, expensive storage space wasrequired to store the shadow boxes until they were ragain required.Although it was true that some of these shadow boxes could bedisassembled after use, this disassembly required the time and servicesof skilled employees. ln addition, the parts and fastening members wereoften misplaced and were not always readily available when the shadowbox had to be reassembled. What is needed, therefore, and comprises thechief object of this invention is a shadow box which is so inexpensivethat it can economically be thrown away after use.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a shadow box whichis formed entirely of sheet material and which can be assembled withoutthe use of auxiliary fasteners.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a shadow box whichcan be assembled and disassembled without the use of skilled labor.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a throw-away shadowbox which is formed entirely from a single cardboard blank and which isstrong enough to support heavy articles for display.

A further object of this invention is to provide a shadow box which canbe made very inexpensively and quickly.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a shadow box whichis simple to assemble and attractive in appearance.

With the foregoing and other objects in .view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel featuresof construction, arrangement and a combination of parts hereinafterfully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, andparticularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understoodthat various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details ofthe structure may be made withoutV departing from the spirit orsacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

-For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of my invention, Ihave illustrated in the acompanying drawings preferred embodimentthereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection withthe following description, my invention, its mode of construction,assembly and operation, and many of its advantages should be readilyunderstood and appreciated.

Referring to the drawings in which the .same characters of reference areemployed to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout theseveral yfigures of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled shadow box; Y

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the shadow box taken on the line 2-2 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4' of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the blank which is employed in the manufactureof the shadow box embodying this invention;

Fig. 6 is a perspective viewof a corner of the shadow box showing theinitial steps in its assembly; o

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a corner of the shadow box showing thenext step in its assembly;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a corner of the Ashadow box showing thethird step in its assembly;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of a corner of the shadow box showing thefourth step in its assembly;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the shadow box showing the fth step inits assembly;

Fig. 1l is a perspective View of the shadow box showing the sixth stepin its assembly;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the shadow box showing the seventh stepin its assembly; i

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the shadow box showing the final stepin .its asembly.

Referring now to Fig. l of the drawings, the shadow display boxindicated generally by the refrence numeral 10 comprises a rectangularback wall 12 `and integrally formed rectangular side and end Awalls 14and 16. These side and end walls are. disposed perpendicularly to theback wall and terminate in integral side and end trapezoidal-shapedframe members 1S and 20. These frame members, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3,are bent inwardly toward the back wall at an obtuse angle to the planeof the side and end walls but are spaced from said back wall.

The entire shadow display box is formed from a single cardboard or sheetmaterial blank, see Fig. 5. For purposes of convenience the fold orcrease lines in the blank have been illustrated as double lines whilethe cut lines are shown as single lines. This blank comprises thecentrally positioned rectangular back wall section 12. The rectangularside and end wall sections 14 and 16 are integral with the edges of theback wall section, and these in the assembled shadow box form the sideand end walls. rIhese sections are separated from the back wall section12 by score or crease lines 15 and 17. The opposite edges of Wallsections 14, remote from back wall 12, are integrally connected withrst, second and third rectangular sections 22, 24 and 26 which arethemselves separated by score lines 21, 25 and 27. Sections 22, 24 and26, as seen in Fig. 2, are adapted to be folded on the score lines toform the side frame members 18. Similarly the opposite edges of the endsection 16 remote from the back wall 12 are integrally connected to arst trapezoidal-shaped section 28 and to second and third rectangularsections 30 and 32. These sections are separated by the score lines 29,31 and 33. Sections 28, 30 and 32, as seen in Fig. 3 are adapted to befolded on their score lines to form the end frame members 20.

In order to hold the shadow box in its assembled shape without the useof auxiliary fasteners, the blank is also provided with substantiallyrectangular reinforcing and holding members 34. The reinforcing members34 are integral with the opposite sides of the side walls 14 and areseparated from it by score lines 35. Each reinforcing member is providedwith a locking tab 36 which is integrally secured to the reinforcingmembers Eby score line 37.` In iaddition, amounting flange 38k isintegrally;

' toVbe bent perpendicularly, see Fig. 4. Thesemounjing anges areprovided with aligned openings '40, sce Fig. l,

which are adaptedto,receivevarious devices such'jas 4rnounting'rods orfluorescent lights. Y l Y In assembled position, edge 42 fofthevr'einforcing mem- 'ber' is parallel to backrwall'12, Yandthised'ge-is providedY with a triangular recess 44, see Fig. 6. ThisYrecessfhas la stop edge 46fwhichfwill Vthen be Iperpendicularto'-the Ylback wall A12. Edge 46 is adapted to be engaged by Van aligning tab48,'which as seen in'FigJjis integrally securedto the oppositer edgesof! section 22.Y This stop tab 48 isd adapted to engage the stop edge46- when Vthe 'side `rwalls 14 are exactly perpendicular to the'backVwall"k 20Y side and end walls 14 and 16. AIn this position trapezoidal12. Accordingly', lit provides a convenient aligning means 'for holdingthe side and end walls of thev shadow.V box perpendicularto the backwall-12 and-forkeeping iuni- Aform the obtuse angle the frame membersmake with the side and end walls;v 'In' addition, when the shadow`boxassembled,rthe locking tab"36 is adapted tobe bent on the scoreYline-37y perpendicular yto the reinforcing -member 34 for'purposesdescribed below.

Qn the opposite edges ofthe second section24 are in- -tegralsubstantially rectangular' locking flanges or' mem-VY Y bers 50. Theseangeslare separated from section 24 by score lines such as 51'andterminate in three integral fingersrsuchV as 52. 'l'heseV ngers'areconnected to the Y docking ange by score linesA 53. AThe center finger55 is bent back when the'V shadow box' is assembled, and 'this ngerisadapted to Vbe embraced by the locking tab Y :36.ininterlockingengagement, see Figs. l and 6. The

edge'54 of the remaining fingers 52 of the lockingv ange V 50 bearsagainst theY corneredge 56 of, the back wall 12 when the'frame members18 are properly positioned `and provides thereby anadditional aligningmeans, and with the locking tab 36 embracing the center finger 55described above, the sideframe membersl are'held `in this position. *i fLocking members 58 are provided for holding the end framemembers 20 Vinplace. These locking members are -rectangularzinshape and areintegrally'connected to the 'opposite ends 'of' thesecondsection 30 byscore lines `59. The locking memberitself comprises two substan- 'tiallysquare sections 60 and 62Y which are separatedl by'- ,a score line 6 1.-WhenYthe Vbox is assembled, section Y6,0

embraces; the bottom ,section 241Y of the frame member V318, whilesection 62- bears against Vthe inner surface of 'sidewall 1'4 with'gedge64 bearing against the edge 66Y "of the bottom wall 12, see Figs. 12and'13.Y ,'When this' Y Vis done display anges 2 0 will be tightlylocked infover.-

.lapping position against Vthe edges of thedisplayjange's 118 and thecorners of the shadow box will be reinforced,

.seejFigflg -Y Y Y Y Mounting slots 68 are provided in sections 3G toVreceive edge 69 Vof mounting ange38 andY locate it in `perpendicularrelation to end wallsV 16, see Figs. 2" and 5.V

, Additional bracket mounting slots such as 70 and 7,2 Ymay Vbe providedin the bottom wall `12 and sections 24.7V When the shadow box isassembled theselslots are aligned in Yspaced parallel rows and areadaptedV toY receive the edges :of auxiliary mountingbrackets suchas 74which may beseparately formed, `see Fig.1:- Y

To assemble the shadowv box, the and endwalls 14 and 16 are V initiallyYbent perpendicular to the baekwallr V 12. Af'1`hen as seen in Fig. 6,the reinforcing members ,34" arebent` perpendicular ,to the sidewalls14VV so that they are Ycsoextensivewith the inner' surface of endwalls 16,.Y lNext sections` 2224and26 are bent'inwardly on yscoreV lines21; V25 and 27, as Yseen infFig. 7. These sec-f tions are' bent stillmore asise'en in Fig. Suuntilrlocking flanges 50: are in parallelc'oextensive engagementsfwith amm 1 therenforeng members'34. Sections 24and 26 are then bent still further as seen in Fig. 9 carrying with themthe positioning flange 50. Itis understood that both sides of the blankare folded this way at the same time.

Next as seen in Fig. 10, sections 28, 30 and '32 are bent Von scorelines 29, 31and 33. At the same time sections 60 and 62 of VthelockingangesY 58 are bent on score lines-59 and 61as shown.` Sectionsj24 and 26and sections 28, 30 and 32 are bent'still further as shown iny Fig. 1lVwith thefreeedge riofgsection 32 inward1y spaced from the innersurface/of the reinforcing member 34 and the locking flange 50.YSections 24 and 26 along with sections 28, 110-and'32pareV -bent stillfurther as shown in Fig. 12`Y with the"locking'tbs 58 movingtemporarilyinto a position substantially parallel to the back wall 12 and the sidewall 14. Further, folding of sections V24 and 26 and sections 28, 30 and32 bring sections 26 and 32 into coincidencewith the. inner surfacesofthe j sections 28 will extend inwardly. from the periphery of the shadowbox and will` overlap sections V22. giving al1 the frame members atrapezoidalfappearance.` In addivtion second sections 24 and 30 oftheside and end `frame memberswill extend inwardlyrv toward the end andside -walls and `towards the bottomwall 12.A This arrangement VdelinesVa .frame memberV whicliistriangular in cross {section and results 4infashadow ,box which iscapable of supporting heavy articles., Furthermore,the edge 54 oflocking anges 50 willbear against the corner edge 56 ofthe back wall 12.V Theni as stated: abovenger Y 55 is bent back andisembraced Vbythelocking tab 36 which is then in interlockingengagementY withthe locking ange50 and holds the frame member 18 `in theposi-Y :tion described above.Y Frame members 20., are held in positionby forcing the section U60 of thelockingmemr bers 58 against the innersurface 24 of nthe frame member 18 and then forcing section 62 into frictional` engagement withV the sidewall 14 with itsedge 64 bearingagainst edge 66ofthe,back wal1. ,11" ".1. f I, Y

VIt should be notedalso hat frame members 18,18,

20 and 20 comprise closed-loopv triangles, ie'. the sections 'of thetriangular frame members are return ybent as Y fpindicated so that theremoteends of sections 26, 26.32 and 32'lie respectively adjacenttheremote Venls of side walls 14, 14"and end walls 16,16; This closed loopstructure,increasesY the areaof the frictional bearing forces of theframe sections andfthusj, in combination with the above-describedlocking members, insures the permanent maintenancel of, the shadowlboxVV in assembled relation- 50. ship Awithout necessitatingmeuse 'ofYanygindependent fastening means such as clips,staples,A glue, andthelike. f Itj is believed that my invention, its mode Avof constructionYand assembly, and many Yof its advantages should be readily understoodfrom the foregoing without` further :desriptiom` and it should alsobemanifest thatvwhile -preferredV ,embodiment ofthe inventionihas beenshown and described for illustrativev purposes, the structural detailsare neverthelesscapable of Ywide-variation within the -purview of jmyyinvention as defined in the appended sorlams a "i 'f f- 1 Y i -Q e WhatI claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of itheUnitedStatesis; If

, 1. A shadow, box formed entirely of sheet material fromasingle'unitaryblank vcomprising aback wall and side wallsintegralwithsaid'back wall,said side walls jhaving opposed ends,pone` end securedtovsaid-back wall, frame members integral,k with-the opposite end ofsaid f side walls, each of said frame members comprising a rst sectionhaving opposed ends,v one endV integral with said Y 702k opposite end ofone of s ad side walls'and inwardlypro- -jecting kfrom the'periphery. ofthe shadow box towards saidY back wall, the opposite end integralwithone ofthe opposededges-of a secondsection, said secondsection projecting`baclrtoward said oneside wallY and toward saidibackwallgthe opposite;edge :of saidzs'eco'nd section engaging said one side wall and connectedto one of the opposed edges of a third section, said third section inface contact with the innersurface of said one side wall and terminatingin butting contact with said first section forming thereby a framemember substantially triangular in cross section, said frame membersections being dmensioned so that the opposite edge of said secondsection is appreciably spaced from said back wall, and sheet materiallocking members, said sheet material locking Y members comprisingprojections integral with said side -walls `and with the sections .ofsaid frame members, said sheet material locking members adapted to be ininterlocking engagement with each other and engaging the side walls andframe members for holding Ithe shadow box in assembled relation. I

2. A shadow box formed entirely of sheet material from a single unitarysheet material blank comprising a rectangular back wall andperpendicular rectangular side and end walls secured at one end thereto,substantially rectangular reinforcing members integral with the sides ofsaid side walls and having a locking tab integrally formed. thereon,said reinforcing members bent to coincide with the inner surface of saidend walls to reinforce them, spaced parallel side frame members integralwith the opposite end of said side walls, remote from said back wall,each of said side frame members comprising first, second and thirdrectangular sections, said first section inwardly projecting from theperiphery of the shadow box towards said back wall, said first sectionhaving one end integral with said opposite end of said side wall remotefrom said back wall, and having the other end integral with one of theopposed edges of said second rectangular section, said secondrectangular section projecting back towards said one side wall and saidback wall and including locking members integrally connected to itsopposed sides, said locking members in face contact with the innersurface 0f the reinforcing members on the inner surface of said endwalls, the opposite end of said second rectangular section engaging saidone side wall and integral with one of the opposed edges of said thirdrectangular section, said third rectangular section in face contact withthe inner surface of said one side wall to reinforce it and terminatingin butting Contact with said first rectangular section forming thereby aframe member substantially triangular in cross section, said framemember sections being dmensioned so that the opposite edge of saidsecond section is appreciably spaced from said back wall, said lockingmembers on said second section in interlocking engagement with saidlocking tabs on said reinforcing members whereby said side frame membersare held in position, spaced parallel end frame members perpendicular toand over-lapping said side frame members, said end frame membersintegral with the opposite end of said end walls remote from said backwall, each of said frame members comprising a trapezoidally shaped firstsection and rectangular section and third sections, said trapezoidallyshaped first section having opposed ends, said trapezoidally shapedfirst section having its large end integral with the portion of said endwall remote from said back wall and projecting inwardly from theperiphery of said shadow box towards said back wall, the opposite edgeof said first trapezoidal-shaped section integral with one of theopposed ends of the rectangular second section, said rectangular secondsection projecting back towards said one end wall and said back wall,said second section including end locking members integrally connectedto its opposite sides, the opposite end of said second section engagingsaid end wall and integral with one of the opposed ends of therectangular third section, said rectangular third section Iin facecontact with the inner surface of said one end wall to reinforce it andterminating in butting contact with said first trapezoidal-shapedsection forming thereby an end frame member substantially triangular incross section, said frame member sections being dimensioned so that theoppostegedge of said second section is appreciably spaced from said backwall, one portion of fsaid end locking members on said second section ofsaid end frame member coincident with said second section of said sideframe member, and the other portion of said end locking membercoincident with and reinforcing the inner surface of said side wall tohold said shadowbox in assembled relation and to reinforce the cornersthereof. i 3. A flat sheet material blank for use in making a shadowbox, said blank comprising a centrally positioned rectangular back wallsection, rectangular side and end wall sections connected to the sidesof said rectangular back wall section and separated therefrom by scorelines, first,'second, and third rectangular shaped side frame membersections connected to the end of said side walls remote from saidback-wall and separated from each other by score lines, irst, second andthird end frame member sections, said rst section trapezoidal shaped andconnected at its large end to the end of said end wall remote from saidback wall, said second and third end frame member sections substantiallyrectangular in shape and separated from each other by score lines,combination reinforcing-locking-bracket mounting member sectionsconnected to said side walls, and combination reinforcing and lockingmember sections connected to said second frame member sections.

4. A hat sheet material blank for use in making a shadow box, said blankcomprising a centrally positioned rectangular back wall section,rectangular side and end wall sections connected to the sides of saidrectangular back wall section and separated therefrom by score lines,substantially rectangular reinforcing member sections connected to theopposite sides of said side walls and separated therefrom by scorelines, said reinforcing member section having a recess at one sidedefining a stop edge and including a locking tab separated from saidreinforcing member section by a score line, rst, second, and thirdrectangularly shaped side frame member sections connected in sequence tothe end of said side walls remote from said back wall and separated fromeach other by score lines, aligning tabs connected to the opposite sidesof said first section of the side frame member sections, substantiallyrectangular locking member sections connected to the sides of the secondsection of the side frame member and separated therefrom by score lines,said locking members terminating in fingers, first, second, and thirdend frame member sections, said first section trapezoidal-shaped andconnected by a score line at its large end to the end of said end Wal-lremote from said back wall, said second and third end frame membersections substantially rectangular in shape and connected in sequence byscore lines to the opposite end of the trapezoidal-shaped first section,and rectangular locking members connected to the sides of said secondsection of the end frame member sections and separated therefrom byscore lines.

5. The blank set forth in claim 4 in which bracket mounting sections areintegral with said reinforcing member sections and separated therefromby score lines, and each of said second end frame member sections isformed with mounting slots for said bracket mounting sections, saidbracket mounting sections being substantially rectanguiar in shape andhaving an opening therethrough.

6. A shadow box formed entirely of sheet material from a single unitaryblank comprising a back wall, a pair of side walls projectingperpendicularly from said back wall, a pair of end walls projectingperpendicularly from said back Wall, closed-loop frame members oftriangular cross-section projecting inwardly and peripherally from theremote end of said side walls and end Walls, said frame membersincluding inwardly projecting outer panels, said last named panels beinginwardly inclined With respect to said back wall, outwardly projectinginner panels and base panels integral with and extending from said innerpanels and terminating in butting contact with VK- said outer panels,said lbasepanelsfbengV n-fgce `contract References Cited il;tlielegfrihlspatent M V with said side Wallsand*enlyva11s,lsgidinwaijdly pxfoject-V jv f Y UNITED SIATES PATENIsy A'backwalL'and locking members'seuring said sidewalls,

end walls and frame members in assrembled position comi 5 -1 e .v2,684,194A

,prlsmg proyectlons mtegral with said mner panels and 2'762 1478, 'sidewalls, paits of said lokin'gfmembers:inter-locking f; Y fpncd `with'eachother` and all yofszlidlcking members'coacting. g f

'Ywitl; said sidewalls and ed wlls for Vholding the shadow y 1"v "iFOREIGN PATENTS fbox in assembled mation and spacingrsaid closed-100131.mii-*686,684YUV A.France V. y July 29, 1930 iframe members Vfrom saidback wall. '9 97?432 Figne .V T. .;4Jan. 7, 1952

